Argon-Ion Laser Vs Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen Curing of Polyacid Modified Composite Resin Restorative Materials

Recently, there has been an interest in using an argon laser to initiate polymerization of light-activated materials [11]. The argon laser, the active medium of which is argon gas, produces light at two wavelengths. The 488 nm blue light is commonly used to initiate the polymerization of restorative composite materials. The 514 nm blue green light has maximum absorbance in tissues that are composed of pigmented molecules such as hemosiderin and melanin. Both wavelengths of the argon laser are poorly absorbed by non-pigmented and hard tissues [12].